Repetitive Stress Injury
Workers' Compensation
What Is Repetitive Stress?
Repeated actions can gradually wear down muscles, tendons, and nerves, causing repetitive strain injury (RSI), also known as repetitive stress injury. RSIs are frequent and can result from a wide range of activities. Your wrists, hands, forearms, elbows, neck, and shoulders are typically impacted by RSI.
The following symptoms may be present: pain, stiffness, tingling or numbness, throbbing, weakness, and sensitivity to cold or heat. When you do repetitive actions, RSI may develop. Your muscles and tendons may eventually suffer injury from those motions. In fact, repetitive stress injuries can make a worker's pain and movement difficulties so severe that they cannot carry out simple tasks or complete everyday actions like raising their arms or bending over.
One of the most common RSIs is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is characterized by weakness, tingling, and numbness in the hands and fingers that is brought on by pressure on the median nerve.
Because repetitive motions can lead to bursitis or inflammation of the knees, elbows, shoulders, and other joints, they are one of the leading causes of work-related injuries. Tendons suffer painful inflammation and develop tendinitis when they are overworked.
What Are Some Examples Of Repetitive Stress?
Injuries caused by repetitive motion while working include the following:
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Hearing loss and/or vision loss
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Tendonitis
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Back pain
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Bursitis
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Joint pain
Workers who experience painful symptoms due to repetitive motion work injuries may dismiss them as normal physical wear and tear brought on by aging or tiredness. This is particularly true if the work itself isn't dangerous, tough, or physically taxing. But, when movements are repeated over months, or even years, injuries can develop that are serious enough to require medical attention and time off from work.
Common causes of repetitive stress include:
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Lifting heavy boxes or pieces of machinery
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Training for sports
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Poor posture held for long periods
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Driving or delivery working
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Typing on a keyboard
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Using tools
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Stocking shelves
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Manual labor
Are Repetitive Stress Injuries Covered By Workers’ Compensation?
Yes! Repetitive stress work injuries can cause severe, permanently changing discomfort in the sufferer, worsening with time. Over time, bending over at work can cause what one might think of as a hurting back.
Even if an employee's injury has not yet been disclosed, that does not necessarily mean they do not have a claim. We will handle the specifics of your case carefully and give you the legal direction you require to take the first step toward recovery.
There will be indicators that it is time to address the pain and discomfort if an employee thinks they have a repetitive stress work injury. No matter how little an employee may think their work-related pain may be, the moment they feel any significant pain, it is vital to seek medical attention so they may learn what it will take to heal physically.
How To Prove A Repetitive Stress Injury
Your work injury attorney will use your medical records, statements from your healthcare team, information regarding your job-related activities, and other evidence to demonstrate a repetitive strain injury. Your attorney might also consult with medical professionals when you move forward with your workers' compensation claim.
Career Fields That Can Cause Repetitive Stress Injuries
Repetitive stress injuries can occur to workers in a variety of professions. Because they frequently have to repeat the same exercise, healthcare workers like nurses and physical therapists are especially vulnerable. Airline employees, from flight attendants to luggage handlers, may experience chronic discomfort due to strenuous lifting or lengthy periods of standing. Similarly, industrial workers are in danger because of their jobs' demanding physical demands. Last but not least, the physical demands of firefighting, such as lugging heavy equipment and crawling through confined locations, can result in stress injuries. Proper safety precautions are needed for each of these jobs to reduce any potential risks.
